The Panelists are announced!
Following the screening of the documentary NO KIDDING, ME TOO!, a panel discussion will take place which will be moderated by 89.3 The Current’s Mary Lucia . The following is a list of panelists:
Joe Pantoliano ( Director, Cast Member )
Joe Pantoliano was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to first-generation Italian American parents Mary, a bookie and seamstress, and Dominic “Monk” Pantoliano, a hearse driver and factory foreman. He attended HB Studio, but studied extensively with John Lehne. He lives with his wife, former model Nancy Sheppard, and their four children. He was introduced to his wife by his friend, Samantha Phillips.
On October 9, 2007 Pantoliano announced on the National Alliance on Mental Illness blog that he has been suffering from clinical depression for the last decade, although he was only formally diagnosed recently. He claims that his recent film Canvas was what helped him come to terms with his depression. Rather than hide his struggle from the public, he has chosen to speak out about it to remove some of the stigmas that are commonly associated with mental illness. He founded a non-profit organization, No Kidding, Me Too!, to unite members of the entertainment industry in educating the public about mental illness. He is also dyslexic.
Jordan Burnham ( Cast Member )
“My Name is Jordan Burnham …. And I’m a 19 year-old guy that suffers from depression. Last year I tried to commit suicide by jumping out of my 9-story bedroom window. After falling over 100 feet, by miracle I survived and now I am trying to make a positive from such a horrible nightmare. My story has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and TV as well. I am able to go around talking to middle schools and high schools about my story and my mental disorder, depression.”
Sue Abderholden ( Executive Director NAMI-MN, Field Expert )
Sue Abderholden has devoted her career to changing laws and attitudes that affect people with disabilities and their families. Most recently, she has focused on the stigma surrounding mental illness and the broken system of care for children and adults with mental illnesses as the executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota.
Over the last twenty-five years, she has successfully fought for community and family supports and for laws that enable people with disabilities to fully participate in society. She understands the isolation that is caused by discrimination and stigma and has devoted herself to empowering people to come together to create change. Sue was on the White House lawn when the ADA was signed into law. A fervent believer in the power of personal stories, she has presented at national conferences and to numerous groups in Minnesota on grassroots lobbying and coalition building.
She has held positions with Arc of Minnesota, U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone and PACER Center (Minnesota’s Parent Training and Information Center). Sue has a B.A. in political science from Macalester College and a master’s degree in public health administration from the University of Minnesota.
Active in her community, she has been a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer in Minneapolis public schools, host family for international students at Macalester College, and a volunteer in numerous political campaigns. Sue and her family have a foster care license and provide respite care to children with disabilities.
Ms. Abderholden has received numerous awards for her advocacy including the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies, Systems Advocacy Award from Arc of Minnesota, NASW Citizen of the Year, Excellence Award from the NAMI National Executive Directors Group, Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award from the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the National Council of Executives for Arcs, the Marvelous Minnesota Woman Award from the Governor in 1991, Betty Hubbard Leadership Award from the Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, Advocacy Award from Pacer Center, and Leadership Award from the Minnesota S.I.L.S. Providers.
Mark A. Frye (Mayo Clinic, Field Expert, Currently a Psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology )
Professional Highlights:
* Vice President, Global Outreach for the International Society of Bipolar Disorder, 2008-present
* Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), 2008-present
* Director, Bipolar Research Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 2003-2006
* Recipient, Outstanding Medical Student Teaching Award – Department of Psychiatry, UCLA, 2005
* Recipient, Gerald Klerman Young Investigator Award, DBSA, 2003
We are very pleased to present this panel and very much look forward to an engaging and enlightening discussion. Please RSVP and purchase your tickets now to secure a spot.
